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Norbar Party Launches New Production at Banbury

Norbar Torque Tools officially opened its new premises at Wildmere Road, Banbury on Wednesday 19th September with an on-site evening party for employees and special guests, including Sir Tony Baldry MP for Banbury, the Mayor of Banbury Cllr Tony Ilott and the Chairman of Cherwell District Council, Cllr Colin Clarke. This 170,000 sq ft production site is over three times the size of their present Banbury head office and factory at Beaumont Road and will allow them to expand their manufacturing output in order to meet increased worldwide demand for their products.

The move is being phased, with the two units running concurrently until project completion in 2015. The expansion will mean more local employment opportunities at Norbar, which has already increased its workforce this year by 25 to 260 and plans further increases in the future.

Norbar is a world leading specialist in the design, development and production of torque tightening and measuring equipment, exporting 75% of its output to markets worldwide. The company has always loyally retained its manufacturing base in Banbury and this will be its third move in the town. During this time, it has increased its overseas presence and there are now Norbar companies in Australia, the USA, New Zealand, Singapore, China and India.

Managing Director Neill Brodey said that it was fitting that the company should be marking its 70th anniversary year in 2012 with a move to a new site which offers exceptional opportunities for development and growth of the business in the UK and overseas. He explained that the move had taken two years of planning and preparation and praised the energy and hard work of the project team that had made it possible.

Sir Tony Baldry MP said that Norbar was one of the longest established companies in his constituency and an excellent employer. “It is marvellous to see a family business that has grown from strength to strength. They are a credit to Banbury,” he said.

The company has twice won the Queen’s Award for Export Achievement and this year saw Norbar voted the county’s top exporter at the Oxfordshire Business Awards and Business of the Year 2012 at the Cherwell Business Awards. Norbar also boasts an award winning canteen, which was responsible for the excellent catering on the launch evening.